Friar and Movement!

The three figures are deep in conversation. They are dressed in the red vestments of Catholic clergy, and so we can assume, dear reader, that these three fellows probably are the bishop and two of his trusted subordinates (below). A conversation is taking place.
'Is it possible, Your Holiness, that we might be enforcing adherence to Catholic doctrine a little too diligently?' says one.
'No', replies the bishop, 'not at all. This is not possible. Do you know the skills required to make a truly fine pair of britches?'
'Ah ... no, Your Holiness' replies the henchmen, slowly, as if, metaphorically, giving himself more time to spot a potential ambush. 'Britches were not a major part of my training or education for this post', he says. 'Except', he adds quickly, in case this is the ambush, 'that I did obviously wear them. All the time - but especially in the presence of women and children'.
The bishop nods. 'Making a good pair of trousers is exactly like caring for the souls of one's spritual flock. It requires diligence, a careful eye, an artist's understanding, but also - and this is important - some very sharp needles'.

The bishop is named Baldwin. In this, he has the same name as every other bishop of Schrote back to the 16th century. Like the Pope, the bishops of Schrote take on an official name upon assumption of their new position. Unlike the pope, in Schrote, it is always the same name, which helpfully makes the bishop's name easier to remember for some of his aged parishioners, and also helps economise on the stationary budget. 

The current Baldwin, whose name actually is Elias, is Baldwin CCXXIII - a title that gives some idea of the relative unpopularity of the position of bishop in Schrote. There has been a disappointing tendency on the part of previous incumbents to use the position to extract maximum pecuniary and political advantage, before quitting and moving to Paris; a move often made, ironically given that they are bishops, in the company of actresses. Tenures can thus be quite low, the record being twenty minutes - the time, not coincidentally, being the same as that required to pack and call up a coach.   

Minister Werner of Fenwick's choice of Elias as bishop was guided by his belief that it would help to have someone in this position whom Emperor George could relate to; a circumstance in this case not unrelated to the fact that Elias is indeed related to George. Elias previously had been owner of a modest tailor's shop in Brandenburg. The fact that he didn't live in Mittelheim actually meant that he was viewed as one of the most successful members of Emperor George's family. As a distant cousin of George, twice or possibly 43 times removed, he was regarded as being politically more reliable then other potential candidates. Elias (below) has quite enjoyed his few months as a bishop, although he has only recently been able to wear the robes - since these were previously in the ownership of Prince Rupprecht, they naturally required quite a lengthy period of cleaning.

(Below) Conversing with the bishop is Johann, whose role is record keeper and librarian for the bishopric, and so who is known officially as Friar Knowledge. As this is Mittelheim, the record book is large, but also seems to be quite spartan in relation to some of the things usually important to books linked to the keeping of records - like an index, or words.

The second of Bishop Baldwin's underlings is Hermann (below), whose job is the enforcement of offical doctrine, and who is therefore known in his official capacity by the name of Friar Conviction. The hammer is notionally symbolic, but Hermann actually has been getting more use out of it than is probably intended. The list of those requiring a religiously sanctioned smiting has increased quite a lot under the leadership of the new Baldwin. Baldwin has applied to his new job the same sorts of qualities that made him a successful tailor, including his propensity for the application of hot irons.

Friar knowledge is now waving a letter. 'I ask, Your Holiness, because this list of accusations laid against you seems  quite serious'. 

'It's ridiculous', says the bishop in disgust. I mean, look at these questions: "Have I knowingly participated in, or do I know directly of anyone who has knowingly participated in, acts of heresy, witchcraft, full demonic possession, part-time demonic time-sharing, or Protestant-motivated questioning of official doctrine"'.

'We have been questioning doctrine', says Friar Knowledge ruefully.

'We had a quiz night!' says the bishop. ' How could that possibly be heresy?'

'The science questions were God-awful', says Friar Conviction.
The bishop pulls a face. 'Look, I may have applied some of the rules quite, ah, enthusiastically, but I wasn’t expecting the Spanish Inquisition!'

A door flies open. There is a gust of air, and sudden movement at the back of the cathedral. As the the bishop and the two friars turn in alarm, a thin voice cries out: 'Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!'